In an effort to alleviate the nation’s protracted power problem, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has chosen a former mayor, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, to the newly established position of electricity minister.
Two enormous difficulties await the next minister. Up to 12 hours a day of power outages, which the government has deemed a national emergency, and claims of high-level wrongdoing at state-run energy firm Eskom.
Recently, the company’s former CEO told the media that senior politicians were robbing the business.
Eskom is deeply in debt; it owes over $24 billion (£19.9 billion).
The economy is being choked off by the ongoing power outages. Some claim that public outrage over the blackouts could cost the ruling ANC party the election next year.
Paul Mashatile, the ANC’s vice president, was also named as vice president by Mr. Ramaphosa as part of the changes to the cabinet that were announced on Monday evening.
With the departure of David Mabuza last week, the action was widely anticipated.
He also took the place of the president’s vocal critic in recent months, Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu. Patricia de Lille, the leader of the tiny opposition party GOOD, was given her position.
The minister of sports, arts, and culture, as well as the minister in the president for women, youth, and people with disabilities, were also removed.
